Sports & Action ESL lesson plans

For ESL teachers focusing on sports and active lifestyles, our video-based lesson plans provide an engaging approach to exploring these exciting topics. Each lesson is dedicated to themes such as sports, action, and maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle—subjects your students will find relatable and stimulating. These lessons are designed to keep students engaged and encourage lively discussions.

all our worksheets about sports and action

a photo of the olympic medals and a slogan "the economics of the olympic games"

Vocabulary: hosting the Olympic Games (legacy, repurpose, go over budget, white elephant, underutilized)
Speaking: conversation questions, debate statements, talking about advantages and disadvantages, preparing a presentation
Vocabulary: describing buildings and neighborhoods (fall into disrepair, decrepit, gentrified, up-and-coming, bustling)

5:03

a phoro of a women spring olympic games competition and a slogan "which sports should be included in the olympics?"

Vocabulary: Olympic sports
Vocabulary: collocations (oversee a sport, conduct drug tests, file a petition, make a comeback, establish a precedent, dispontitue a sport)
Video: How are sports chosen for the Olympic games?

2:53

a photo of a stadium and a slogan "are you giong to follow euro 2024?

Vocabulary: stadiums (pitch, stands, concession stands, gates, ticket office, box seat)
Vocabulary: stages of a tournament (group stage, knockout rounds, Round of 16, Quarter-finals, Semi-finals, Final)
Speaking: conversaiton questions, comparing different ways to watch a football game

3:23

a photo of medals, pills and syringes, and a slogan "can doping ever be stopped?"

Reading: famous cases involving performance-enhancing drugs
Vocabulary: banned substances, test positive for, be stripped of, be disqualified, sever ties with, be banned for life, tarnish your reputation
Video: Gene therapy and the future of doping in sport

5:17

a football and a slolgan "why do people love football so much?"

Vocabulary: football (people in football, parts of the pitch, verbs related to football)
Speaking: popular sports, guess the sport
Listening: Why is football the most popular sport?

4:53

people skiing and a slogan "how is climate change affecting winter sports"

Vocabulary: winter sports, protective gear, clothes and footwear, equipment, facilities
Video: Winter sports and climate change
Speaking: discussing winter sports, climate change, and winter

2:12

gym equipment and a slogan - work out while brushing your teeth

Vocabulary: home workout equipment (e.g. dumbbells, exercise ball. ankle weights, resistance bands)
Vocabulary: exercises (squats, lunges, stretching, pull-ups, push-ups)
Video: Build exercise into your daily routine: Brushing your teeth: Glutes and Legs

1:33

England's women National football team at the FIFA Women's World Cup

Reading: Short history of the Women’s World Cup tournament
Vocabulary: reigning champions, contenders, underdogs, to make history, a three-peat, debut, breakout stars
Video: What you need to know about the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

5:00

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Video-based ESL lesson plans about sports

Try out The English Flows’ lesson plans about sport and action if you are an ESL teacher whose students are:

  • Sports Enthusiasts: Students who have a keen interest in sports and physical activities and want to discuss their favourite sports, players, and events in English.
  • Athletes and Coaches: Individuals involved in sports who need to improve their English for training, coaching, and participating in international competitions or communicating with teammates and opponents.
  • Physical Education Students: Students studying physical education or sports management who require strong English skills to understand academic materials and engage in discussions about sports and action.
  • Sports Media and Journalism Students: Aspiring sports journalists and media professionals who need to develop their English skills for writing, reporting, and discussing sports events.
  • Event Organisers: People involved in organising or promoting sports events who need to communicate effectively in English with participants, sponsors, and media.

Each lesson features 5-8 pages of in-class material designed to explore sports and action topics. These subjects are exciting and relevant, sparking enthusiasm and engaging ESL learners. They encourage conversation and promote awareness of various sports and activities. Topics such as athletic training, competitive sports, extreme sports, and fitness routines offer numerous opportunities for meaningful language practice and interaction.

Every lesson plan includes

Pre-class online activities
(Free)

In-class activities
(For Full members)

After class: Additional resources
(Free)